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Nidhtshade Leaf / Kandankathiri Powder

Tamil : Kandankathiri - கண்டங்கத்திரி

Malayalam : kantakari valutina

Hindi : Badi Kateri

Telugu : Pinna-Mulaka

Botanical : Solanum Surattense

Kandankathiri is one of my late grandfathers favorite plant, he used to always insist that we include this plant in our cooking. Kandankathiri is called Yellow Fruit Night-Shade in English and it's botanical name is Solanum Xanthocarpum (old name) and new name is Solanum Surattense | Solanum Virginianum. It is called Kantakari in Sanskrit. The whole plant is covered in thorns and the fruit looks like small version of our egg plant but with thorns. Every single part of kandankathiri is used as a medicine and since this plant is easily available, we should try to make good use of it. Kandankathiri are mainly used for treating all respiratory diseases like cough, phlegm and cold related fevers.

1. Kandankathiri antioxidant activity: What excited me most about kandankathiri plant is it's antioxidant activity. Since synthetic antioxidants have undesirable side effects, antioxidants from natural sources are regarded highly and kandankathiri plant has been proven through research that it very effectively reduces the free radicals. What was significant about the study was kandankathiri extract proved to be better than standard antioxidants like ascorbic acid. It would be a great loss if we don't use such powerful natural antioxidant. The study was done on the leaf extract of the plant but both the leaf and fruit extract can be used.

2. Kandankathiri antibacterial activity: Another very significant benefit of kandankathiri is it's antibacterial activity. The leaf extract of the plant was highly effective against all bacteria except Shigella Dysenteriae. What is really significant is it is very highly effective for most of the bacterial infections

3. Kandankathiri For Liver protection: Another significant study done on kandankathiri leaves showed that it is very very effective in preventing liver damage due to toxicity. This study was done on rabbits by inducing them to liver damage and then treating them with kandankathiri extract which proved that 500 mg of extract per body weight per day resulted no damage to the liver at all.

4. Kandankathiri plant For Gum diseases: An interesting study was done on the seeds of the plant for treating gum diseases. The fresh seeds were shade dried and stored in a airtight box. An iron pan was heated and to it few drops of mustard oil and 1/4 tsp of the seeds were added, the fumes that came out was directed to the patients mouth through a long pipe (we call it Oothu kulal in Tamil and it is used for blowing air to keep the fire going). This process was repeated altogether for 4 times. This treatment gave amazing results to almost 75 % of the patients and the rest 25 % where patients who had to have surgery.

5. Kandankathiri For Cold & Cough: Kandankathiri root when boiled along with thippili (long pepper) is a very good home remedy for cough. This Kandankathiri root decoction can also be used for treating fever due to cold. Here in our village, we make kandankathiri gravy with the fruit, the gravy is very delicious and it is one of the best recipes to give for growing children to keep them healthy.

Dosage

1 spoon a day before diet with warm water.

Side Effects

There are no known side effects with this herb. Seek medical advice for its use during pregnancy.